» Monday, November 15, 2004

Washington Visit Talks

Asked what the themes of the Prime Minister’s Mansion House Speech would be, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) replied that it would be a reflection of the Prime Minister’s view of why the relationship with America, Europe and the evolving world scene was important. It was imperative that the US and Europe worked together. It would also reflect the opportunity to seize the moment in the Middle East, which was something he talked about in his press conference with President Bush.

Asked about President Bush’s attitude to European relations and whether these would be brought up during his trip in February, the PMOS said that it would be a significant visit, and would focus on the EU and NATO. Any further details about the trip would come out over the next few weeks. The PMOS said that what was important was a willingness to reach out to Europe, and vice versa. There was clearly a role, for both the US and Europe, to help move the Palestinian/Israeli situation forward, with both sides playing different, yet complementary roles.

Asked how the roles were defined, the PMOS said that what was important was to discuss what they together could achieve, as clearly, there were different spheres of influence. In terms of organising the roles, however, this was something that would be set out over the coming weeks.

Asked if the Prime Minister was told that Colin Powell would be visiting the West Bank during his recent trip to Washington, the PMOS replied that he was aware, and that the Foreign Secretary was also travelling next week in the same area.

Asked if there was any reason to believe that people should conclude from Colin Powell’s visit to the West Bank that he was going to be confirmed in this office, the PMOS replied that he did not comment on reshuffles in this jurisdiction, and was therefore, certainly not going to comment on anyone else’s either.

Asked if the Prime Minister wanted to contemplate any delay with the elections in Iraq, the PMOS said that the whole emphasis of Prime Minister Allawi, President Bush and the Prime Minister was to push ahead with the Iraqi Elections. The difficulties, however, were not being caused by the Iraqi government, President Bush, or the British government, but by insurgents trying to stop the elections.

The insurgents knew that once the Iraqi government had the mandate of the Iraqi people behind it, they would be seen as the wreckers they are. What the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister had said in a report was that the Iraqi government was committed to push against the insurgents, and was aiming for an election to be held on schedule.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Search for related news

No Comments »

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Post a public comment

(You must give an email address, but it will not be displayed to the public.)
(You may give your website, and it will be displayed to the public.)

Comments:

This is not a way of contacting the Prime Minister. If you would like to contact the Prime Minister, go to the 10 Downing Street official site.

Privacy note: Shortly after posting, your name and comment will be displayed on the site. This means that people searching for your name on the Internet will be able to find and read your comment.

Downing Street Says...

The unofficial site which lets you comment on the UK Prime Minister's official briefings. About us...

Search


November 2004
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
« Oct   Dec »
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  

Supported by

mySociety.org

Disruptive Proactivity

Recent Briefings


Archives

Links

Syndicate (RSS/XML)

Credits

Enquiries

Contact Sam Smith.

This site is powered by WordPress. Theme by Jag Singh